Understanding DOIs: Complete Guide to Digital Object Identifiers in Academic Citations
DOIs make academic citations easier, more reliable, and permanent. They are unique links that ensure access to scholarly works, even if web addresses change. Here's what you need to know:
- What is a DOI? A DOI is a permanent alphanumeric link (e.g.,
https://doi.org/10.1038/nature12373) that provides stable access to academic materials. - Why use DOIs? They prevent broken links, help locate resources, and improve citation accuracy.
- Where to find DOIs? Look in article headers, metadata, or publisher pages. If unavailable, use CrossRef's lookup tool.
- How to use DOIs in citations? Always include the DOI in the correct format (e.g., APA:
https://doi.org/xxxxx). If no DOI exists, use a stable URL.
DOIs ensure your citations stay intact over time, making them an essential tool for academic writing.
What is a DOI? Digital Object Identifiers for better science
DOI Structure and Location
Now that we’ve covered what DOIs are and why they matter for citations, let’s break down their structure and where to find them.
A DOI is made up of two parts:
- Prefix: Always starts with "10." followed by a unique registrant code (e.g., 10.1038).
- Suffix: Assigned by the publisher (e.g., nature12373).
These parts are separated by a forward slash ("/") and presented as a URL. For example: https://doi.org/10.1038/nature12373. Always use the full URL format (https://doi.org/) instead of simply writing "doi:".
DOIs can usually be found in:
- Article headers or metadata (like on the first page, in the PDF header/footer, or on the landing page).
- The copyright or publisher information page of a book.
- Citation sections within databases.
If you can’t find a DOI, try using CrossRef's lookup tool. Keep in mind that DOIs are most commonly assigned to journal articles published after 2000.
With this understanding of DOI structure and where to find them, you’re ready to incorporate them into your citations.
Using DOIs in Citations
Once you've found a DOI, here’s how to properly include it in your citations.
When to Use DOIs
Always include a DOI in your citation if one is available. If the source doesn’t have a DOI, use a stable URL instead.
"Ultimately, if the source has a DOI, use it! Do not use the URL of the source if a DOI is available. URLs might change over time, while DOIs do not." - Paperpile
Citation Style Guidelines
| Style | Format | Example |
|---|---|---|
| APA | https://doi.org/xxxxx | Gatz, M., Smyer, M. A., & DiGilio, D. A. Psychology's contribution to the well-being of older americans. American Psychologist, 71, 257–267. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0040251 |
| MLA | doi:xxxxx | Gatz, Margaret, Michael A. Smyer, and Deborah A. DiGilio. "Psychology's contribution to the well-being of older americans." American Psychologist 71.4: 257. doi:10.1037/a0040251 |
| Chicago | https://doi.org/xxxxx | Keng, Shao-Hsun, Chun-Hung Lin, and Peter F. Orazem. "Expanding college access in Taiwan, 1978–2014: effects on graduate quality and income inequality." Journal of Human Capital 11, no. 1: 1–34. https://doi.org/10.1086/690235 |
Next, let’s look at tools that can help you manage and track DOIs.
sbb-itb-1831901
Benefits of DOIs
DOIs offer more than just citation support. With over 275 million in use, they provide permanent, platform-independent links to digital resources. This ensures citations remain intact over time, avoiding the issue of broken links, while also improving visibility for academic work.
Studies have found that journals and books equipped with DOIs receive a higher average number of citations compared to those without. This highlights how DOIs make research more accessible and visible to a broader audience.
Unlike URLs, which can become outdated, DOIs are built to last. Here's a quick comparison of their advantages:
| Aspect | DOI-Based Citations | Traditional URL Citations |
|---|---|---|
| Tracking | Tracks views and downloads effectively | Limited tracking capabilities |
| Reliability | Always leads to the current version | Links may break over time |
| Citation Impact | Easier to monitor and measure | Harder to track and analyze |
Want to take advantage of these benefits? Check out our step-by-step guide to implementing DOIs.
Guide for Writers
After outlining the benefits of DOIs, follow these steps to ensure citations are accurate and consistent.
DOI Implementation Steps
Here are some essential practices for implementing DOIs correctly:
- Always check for a DOI before resorting to a URL.
- Copy DOIs directly from the source to avoid errors.
- Format the DOI as "https://doi.org/xxxxx" and place it at the end of references without adding extra punctuation or line breaks.
Additional tips for proper implementation:
- Verify each DOI manually to ensure it links to the correct resource.
- Keep the DOI exactly as it appears - don’t alter capitalization, punctuation, or line breaks.
- Avoid placing a period or any punctuation after the DOI, as this can break the link.
- If both a DOI and a URL are available, include only the DOI.
U.S. Writing Standards
When using DOIs, present them as clickable hyperlinks and skip retrieval dates. If no DOI is available, include a stable URL. For print or subscription-only materials, leave out all digital identifiers.
Here’s an example of an APA-style reference:
Gatz, M., Smyer, M. A., & DiGilio, D. A. (2016). Psychology's contribution to the well-being of older Americans. American Psychologist, 71(4), 257–267. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0040251
Conclusion
DOIs play a key role in academic citations, offering a dependable and permanent way to link and identify scholarly works. Use the https://doi.org/... format in all references to ensure reliable access and accuracy in academic writing.